No brake lights, turn signals or emergency flashers

LYLEMAXSON

MEMBER
1998 FORD MUSTANG
3.8L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
95,600 MILES

Have checked fuses under dash and under the hood. All good. Looked at repair videos showing brake pedal switch but have not started work on the switch or the turn signal lever which was mentioned in the video. Just bought the car Tuesday 03-03-2020 and everything was working. Went for a ride in the mountains and my wife plugged an electric blanket designed for the cigarette lighter and it worked fine and the lighter still works, so I don't think that was a factor. We got within 10 miles from home and a truck driver told us the brake lights were not working. Came home and did what I could with the fuses and still no luck. All other electrical systems function normally.

Saturday, March 7th, 2020 AT 5:12 PM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,052 POSTS

Hi,

First, check fuse 9 in the interior fuse panel. In addition to checking the fuse, confirm there is power to the fuse socket.

IF there is power, I need you to next check for power to the brake light switch. Note that the signals and brake lights both get power from the same place.

Also, I need to know if the 3rd brake light is working.

Here are a few links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-fuse-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

_________________________

If you notice on the schematic, if the 3rd brake light is working and the others aren't, it gets power before going through the signal switch. It is spliced into the same power supply. Thus, if it works, then we know the brake light switch is good and chances are there is a problem in the signal switch.

Let me know what you find. If the 3rd brake light isn't working, I suspect we lost the fuse I indicated or there is no power to it.

Let me know.
Joe

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Saturday, March 7th, 2020 AT 6:23 PM

LYLEMAXSON

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Joe!
Thanks for your prompt advice. All my fuses and lamps were okay and functioning but it turned out that I went to test the emergency flasher half way through our drive in the mountains and did not turn it off so the brake and signal lights did not function. The flashers did not work and I tried them a few times and left them on by mistake so I will check the fuse for that. All is well and thanks again for your time and help. I love this website and I am sure I will be using it again!
Lyle Maxson

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Monday, March 9th, 2020 AT 9:19 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS